JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Social media is an integral part of human social life. More than 90% of young people use social media daily. Current theories, models and measures are primarily based on face-to-face conceptions, leaving research out of sync with current social trends. This may lead to imprecise diagnoses and predictions.

Objective:

To develop a theoretically based empirical model of current social interfaces to inform relevant measures.

Methods:

A three-stage qualitative data collection approach included anonymous individual post-it notes, three full class discussions and 10 focus groups to explore 82 adolescents’ relational practices. Data analysis followed a meaning condensation procedure and a field correspondence technique.

Results:

We suggest an empirical model categorizing adolescents’ social interaction into five experiential positions. Four positions result from trajectories relating social media and face-to-face social interaction. Positions are described by match or mismatch dynamics between preferred and actual social platform used. In matched positions individuals prefer and use both face-to-face and social media (position 1), prefer or use either face-to-face (position 2) or social media (position 3). In mismatched positions individuals prefer face-to-face interactions but use social media (position 4) or prefer social media but use face-to-face platforms (position 5). We propose that matched positions indicate good social functioning while mismatched positions indicate serious social challenges.

Conclusions:

We propose a model that will expand previous unidimensional social interaction constructs, and hypothesize that the described match/mismatch analyses provide conceptual clarity for research and practical application. We discuss prediction value, implications and model validation procedures.